TAM-AWAN: Baguio's Artist Village and Gardens in the Baguio Sky

TAM-AWAN Village is a reconstructed Cordillera village showcasing the traditional Ifugao Huts, and Baguio's art and culture scene. It was established by National Artist BenCab in 1998 together with Chanum Foundation to promote the local Baguio Artists. Tam-awan is a local word which means "vantage point".

You can check out the permanent and occasional art exhibits from various Baguio artists. Also, artists are always available to sketch your portrait. There is a Cafe where you can get a taste of Cordillera flavors. Lastly, you can immerse yourself in the culture by staying overnight in the village in one of the authentic Ifugao huts.

The village is located on a hill so as you enter you have to go up the stairs and choose between the easy route or the short-cut but steeper route. We prefer the shorter route with the salamander design.

They have a shop where you can buy authentic Ifugao hand-made products.

There's always an ongoing exhibit showcasing the best of Ifugao art.

We like the Portrait Sketching sessions (10-15 minutes) and you can choose the artist to sketch you.

You can have a guide tour you around the village and explain the artworks like this Solar Drawing by Jordan Mang-osan.

One of my favorite exhibit halls is this Ifugao Hut turned into a gallery.

It currently exhibits the Solar Drawings of Jordan Mang-Osan featuring the Igorot Mother and Child and scenes from the Ifugao culture.Congrats Jordan (in black jacket) for the really nice Solar Drawings!

Even the restroom is jazzed up with colorful patterns and interesting designs.

According to the Ifugao culture, these Fertility Idols help you conceive when you touch them.

We decided to tour around the village, and the steps became steeper but the boys were still able to manage it and in fact, had fun climbing the hill.

The village showcases Ifugao Huts -- the beauty and exactness of its construction, to better appreciate the culture of the Cordillera region.

Here's a look at inside one of the fertility huts that promise higher chances of conception.

Here's a look of the village surroundings from one of the elevated view points.

The trail is relatively safe but you need to make sure you have eyes on the little ones.

(Note: It's not recommended to go around if it rains because it will be muddy and slippery.)

One of the favorite art installations of the boys is this Dream Catcher.

Here's one of the perfect sunset vantage points and on clearer days, you can see the West Philippine Sea in the horizon.

(TIP: The best time to go to Tam-awan is around 3pm and wait to catch the sunset)

To end the tour, you have to cross this Bamboo Bridge.

It's fun to hang out in this "ceremonial" communal table where you can hang out with the artists over coffee and tagay of gin :)

I love this smoked pork, Cordilera style, served as pulutan.

You can also have merienda while you wait and savor the Tam-awan experience.

Here's the portrait sketch of our designer friend Michi Calica.

Here's a mature and realistic sketch of Rache.

Thanks to Malen Catajan and Chit Asignacion for accommodating us in Tam-awan!

Contact Malen at 0918-946-4527 or Chit at 0917-553-4078 if you want to know more about Tam-awan or looking for a collaboration with the Chanum Foundation group.

Overall, It's a nice place to have merienda, to buy pasalubong arts & crafts, and to have a nice souvenir sketch portrait. Make sure to have time to hang-out with the artists to appreciate the life and culture of the Cordillera people.

How to get there: It's best if you have your own transpo to get here. You can ride a jeep via Quezon Hill Tam-awan Jeep or Long-long via Tam-awan Jeep from Kayang Street, Baguio City Market. You can also take the taxi and give directions for Tam-awan, Pinsao Proper.